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Ecological Tourism Development in Small Islands: Meta-Analysis of Ecological Resources, Community Welfare, and Community Participation in Sustainability 2019-2024
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This review of five years of research on island ecotourism finds that when local communities help protect natural areas like mangroves and coastlines, both the environment and residents' well-being benefit. It also flags a growing concern: microplastic pollution is increasingly showing up in these coastal ecosystems, which matters for human health since these plastics can enter the food chain through seafood and eventually end up on our plates. The takeaway is that sustainable, community-led tourism isn't just good for local culture and economies—it's a practical tool for keeping our oceans and food supply cleaner.
This article aims to synthesize review studies that assess trends and challenges in ecological and sustainable tourism from 2019 to 2024, with a focus on two main aspects: the use of ecological resources and community engagement in environmental protection. Using "Publish or Perish" and VOSviewer analysis, relevant articles were identified, covering topics like ecological tourism, community well-being, ecological resources, sustainable tourism, small island tourism, and community participation in tourism. The selection process prioritized articles from reputable indexed journals to ensure credibility. Initially, 200 journals were reviewed, and through cross-referencing, selected for analysis. The findings highlight key challenges such as ecological resource management and climate change, as well as the opportunities presented by sustainable tourism, especially in small island settings. The role of local communities in tourism sustainability is emphasized, showing how it can both empower communities and protect cultural identities. This article provides valuable insights into how sustainable tourism can promote local well-being and environmental protection, contributing to a more sustainable future for future generations. The VOSviewer analysis further shows that mangrove conservation and coastal ecosystems are central research themes, with emerging topics like capacity, mangrove ecosystem, and mangrove ecotourism reflecting recent research trends. Key concerns include environmental impacts, particularly climate change, pollution, and human activities, as well as biodiversity and sustainability. There is growing interest in the human impact, particularly microplastic pollution, and a shift towards ecosystem-based management.
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Researchers studied an ecotourism program in a Bali national park that protects mangroves and seagrass beds—coastal ecosystems that store carbon, support marine life, and help buffer coastlines from climate change. They found that plastic waste and poor recycling practices among local businesses are undermining these benefits, and suggest that tourism programs designed around education and eco-friendly practices could better protect these ecosystems. This matters for human health because healthy coastal ecosystems filter pollutants and reduce plastic waste in our oceans, which otherwise breaks down into microplastics that end up in seafood and drinking water.
Ecological and Socio-Economic Assessment of Ecotourism-Driven Microplastics Pollution at Elegushi Beach, Lagos, Nigeria
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Researchers found that a popular beach in Lagos, Nigeria gets significantly more polluted with tiny plastic particles, toxic metals, and chemical contaminants during peak tourist season—microplastics in sand increased by over 40% in just three months. This matters because these plastic particles and chemicals (including phthalates, which are linked to hormone disruption) can enter the food chain through fish and seafood, eventually ending up on our plates. The study is a reminder that beach tourism, while good for local economies, needs better waste management and regulation to keep both ecosystems and the people who rely on them healthy.
Microplastics in small Island ecosystems: Integrating evidence on distribution, bioaccumulation, and social-ecological impacts
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Small island ecosystems show sediments acting as long-term microplastic sinks with concentrations orders of magnitude higher than surrounding waters, with fragments and fibres of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene dominating. Sublethal effects and contaminant transfer reduce fisheries productivity and impose disproportionate socioeconomic burdens on vulnerable island communities dependent on marine resources.
The Interaction Between Microplastic Pollution and Tourism: A Qualitative Research in The Context of Sustainability
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Researchers used document analysis to examine how microplastic pollution and coastal tourism reinforce each other, finding that tourist activity increases MP accumulation in marine environments while degrading destination image, and that plastic-free initiatives and eco-certification programs offer the most tractable sustainability levers.
Innovative Synergy of Circular Economy and Environmental Literacy: Transforming Eco-Tourism for Marine Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration
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A study of coastal communities in Indonesia found that combining eco-friendly tourism practices (like recycling and reducing waste) with better public education about the environment helps reduce plastic pollution and restore marine ecosystems. This matters because healthier oceans mean less plastic breaking down into microplastics that end up in seafood and drinking water, but the research shows that education and green tourism alone aren't enough, real progress also requires government policies and community-wide action, not just individual eco-friendly choices.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.